Rink Link

October/November 2010

2010 Annual Twin City Association Recognition Dinner September 12 ~ Town & Country Club, St. Paul ~ hosted by the Burnsville MN Valley FSC

2011 Minnesota State Champions Back Row: Intermediate Men - Daniel Kulenkamp, St Paul FSC; Adult Bronze - Sarah Klosterbuer, Individual Member; Adult Masters - Erin Swanson, Chaska FSC; Novice Men - Ryan Santee, Rochester FSC; Junior Ladies - Shannon Brakke, Rochester FSC; Adult Silver - Cathy McNeill, St Paul FSC; Adult Gold - Elaine Walin, St Paul FSC; Open Pre Juvenile Ladies - Cassidy Murray, FSC of Bloomington Front Row: Open Juvenile Ladies - Samantha Considine, Braemar City of Lakes FSC; Intermediate Girls - Elizabeth Ploumidis, St Paul FSC; Juvenile Girls - Joanna Liu, St Paul FSC; Novice Ladies - Sophie Stillman, Lake Minnetonka FSC; Pre Juvenile Girls - Rachel Kamer, St Paul FSC; Pre Preliminary Girls - Gracie Bryant, St Paul FSC; Preliminary Girls - Emma Enebak, FSC of Bloomington; Not pictured: Senior Ladies - Kate Charbonneau, FSC of Bloomington Special Minnesota State Trophies & Presentations

Wakefield Trophy Marlys Larson Award FSC of Bloomington Team Braemar TCFSA Club with the most Junior Team placement points highest qualifying competition placement

Bette Snuggerud James Disbrow TCFSA Award Award presented a Onia Gelecinskyj Ryan Santee $4,000 donation FSC of Rochester FSC to Minnesota Bloomington high school male Skating senior lady - skater – Scholarship most academic & most academic & President Herb championship championship Morgenthaler points points

The Champion For Skating Award 2010 Winners Michelle & Arnie Schmidt Presentation Comments by Lori Rothmund & Tamie Campbell

The TCFSA policy handbook describes The Champion For Skating Award as "an annual award presented through open nominations from TCFSA members to an individual or individuals who exhibit both high visibility involvement and sustained low profile support of figure skating." Specific volunteer characteristics considered in the nomination and selection are: time devoted, talents contributed, leadership demonstrated, and a spirit of cooperation fostered. Tamie Campbell received this award last year and would normally be giving this presentation. However, she is judging in Budapest and could not be here today. I was honored to be the recipient of this award in 2008, so Marlys asked me if I would present the 2010 award. I am happy to announce this year's recipients are Arnie & Michelle Schmidt . Tamie interviewed Arnie and Michelle and sent me the following presentation speech: Michelle and Arnie began the interview with the statement "We are too good of friends with Nancy and Marlys!" I began to really understand what they meant by this as they recounted their TCFSA volunteer activities. The Schmidts began their involvement in figure skating like many people - their daughter began skating. I was curious to find out why they remained in the sport after Kellie quit, as most parents do not. Their response was that she is still skating and is now in her early 30's. Way to go Kellie! You've given the TCFSA two wonderful volunteers. Many people wrote that Michelle and Arnie happily did any job they were asked to do. What I learned is that they not only took on the job, they ended up chairing the committee or serving on the Board of Directors. Both of them started with Maplewood Synchro Team, with Michelle as Team Manager and Arnie working on fundraising. Next came the Board of Directors of the Maplewood FSC, chairing the Spring show and, as Arnie says, "it spiraled from there." Arnie has been a Member at Large of TCFSA since 1997. He started the website and is afraid he'll never be able to transition out of that. They co-chaired the Competitors' Lounge at the Marriott Hotel for the 1998 World Championships and were on site nearly 24/7, keeping it stocked with both food and games. When Michelle learned there was a need for some computer work for the 2000 Synchro World Championships, she volunteered Arnie for the job. He also chaired the Facilities Committee, while Michelle was the Executive Committee Secretary for the event. This was their favorite event so far. They actually enjoyed working with the ISU (something I've never heard anyone say before!) and blazing a trail for Synchro as this was the very first Synchro World Championship. Michelle did admit she was taken by surprise when she realized that agreeing to type up the opening speech for the ISU President actually meant writing it. They are most passionate about the Synchro discipline in figure skating, as they like the Team concept it promotes. Bette Snuggerud, a master at delegation, asked them to participate in a task force for developing the Synergy Synchro Team at the U of M. True to form, they both served on the Executive Board of Directors for its duration. At the 2008 National Championships in St. Paul, the Schmidts were again in leadership roles. Arnie chaired the Transportation Committee and Michelle was chair of the Administration Committee. Most recently, TCFSA held 2010 US Synchronized Championships. Once again Arnie was chair of the Facilities Committee and Michelle was co-chair of ticket sales as well as Executive Committee Secretary. I did wonder if Michelle and Arnie did everything together. They met in college and were both active in student government. Arnie was Michelle's manager for her Homecoming Queen campaign. I'll let them tell you how that came out. With all of these skating activities, it's difficult to imagine that these two dedicated volunteers also have full time jobs. Michelle is a full time enrolled agent tax accountant for Briggs and Morgan. Arnie is a software engineer for Lockheed Martin. He develops consoles for atomic submarines, I think. They also have a son, Mike, who is "volunteered" when help is needed with any heavy lifting. After all is said and done, volunteers like the Schmidts are what makes TCFSA and figure skating successful in this area . So thank you to Nancy and Marlys for being such good friends of Michelle and Arnie and "inviting" them to volunteer! And as Arnie said, "It's nice to be appreciated." Additional tributes: Arnie and Michelle have been involved for 20 plus years and have always said "yes" whenever asked to be involved with major projects of the TCFSA...... they have given hours and hours of their time and knowledge with very little recognition...... they fit the profile and guidelines of this award...... Arnie has been the official photographer for TCFSA since 2000...... Michelle has served as TCFSA secretary from 2006-present...... we so appreciate Michelle & Arnie continuing to be involved in our figure skating community...... Michelle and Arnie will always step up to the plate and do an excellent job on whatever event or committee they are asked to serve on - and always with a smile and a positive attitude! October 1-5, 2010 Results Qualifying Round Novice Ladies Group A Intermediate Ladies Group A Juvenile Girls Group A 5th – Sophie Stillman, Lake Minnetonka FSC 6th – Elizabeth Ploumidis, St Paul FSC 4th - Grace Hoger, FSC of Bloomington 6th – Hannah Peterson, FSC of Bloomington 13th - Karlee Stennes, St Paul FSC 8th - Michelle Hedges, FSC of Bloomington 15th – Katherine Foy, Lake Minnetonka FSC 15th - Allison Hansen, Elk River FSC 9th - Sarah Santee, Rochester FSC 15th- Julia Hussian, Starlight IDC Novice Ladies Group B Intermediate Ladies Group B 9th - Hailey Bork, FSC of Bloomington 4th – Patrice Martineau, Burnsville MN Valley Juvenile Girls Group B 17th – Victoria Wahlquist, St Paul FSC FSC 3rd – Joanna Liu, St. Paul FSC 15th - Laura Lanigan, St Paul FSC 6th – Hailey Kauls, Eden Prairie FSC Novice Ladies Group C th th 8 – Juliana Welter, St. Paul FSC 6 - Jasmine Dahm, St. Paul FSC Intermediate Ladies Group C th th 13 -Chanel Asuncion, FSC of Bloomington 4 – Coco Kaminski, Braemar City of Lakes FSC 6th – Jillian Christie, FSC of Bloomington Juvenile Girls Group C 6th – Riley Shore, St. Paul FSC Intermediate Ladies Group D th 8 – Kristina Briant, Eden Prairie FSC 9th – Cailyn Johnson, Rochester FSC 14th - Caitlyn Schaeffer, Three Rivers FSC Championship Round Senior Ladies Junior Men Intermediate Men Samiera AbouNasr, St. Paul FSC (1,4,1) Juran Yang, St. Paul FSC (1, 2, 1) Colton Johnson, FSC of Bloomington Maria Sperduto, St. Paul FSC (3,3,3) (2,1,1) Novice Ladies Maria Kalina, Starlight IDC (6, 5, 5) Daniel Kulenkamp, St. Paul FSC Sophie Stillman, Lake Minnetonka FSC(9, 15, 15) Sabrina Logren, Roseville FSC (9,9,9) (1,5,4) Christiana Johnson, Rochester FSC (14,13,13) Novice Men Juvenile Girls Cale Ambroz, FSC of Bloomington (9, 3, 4) Junior Ladies Joanna Liu, St Paul FSC - 6 Ryan Santee, Rochester FSC (7, 5, 5) Shannon Brakke, Rochester FSC (5, 4, 5) Grace Hoger, FSC of Bloomington - 12 Ben Jalovick, FSC of Bloomington (3, 6, 6) McKenna Wilson, Elk River FSC (6,6,6) Juvenile Boys Alessa Parris, FSC of Bloomington (10, 12, 12) Intermediate Ladies Grant Kulenkamp, St Paul FSC - 10 Mikaela Wegscheid, St Paul FSC (13,17,17) Coco Kaminski, Braemar City of Lakes FSC (7,15,12)

Patrice Martineau, Burnsville MN Valley FSC (13,14,15) Non Qualifying Pre-Juvenile Girls Final Round Open Pre Juvenile Girls Final Round Open Juvenile Girls Final Round Kirsten Horsemann, FSC of Bloomington - 3 Cassidy Murray, FSC of Bloomington - 1 Hailey Walker, Braemar City of Lakes FSC - 3 Linnea Seline, FSC of Bloomington – 5 Taylor Harris, Northern Blades NSC FSC - 2 Kacy Ineson, St. Paul FSC - 11 Emma Enebak, FSC of Bloomington - 10 Annelise Kruse, Elk River FSC - 6 Open Juvenile Girls Group A Linnea Peterson, Burnsville MN Valley FSC - 11 th Pre-Juvenile Girls Group A 6 - Katie Yockey, Lake Minnetonka FSC 9th - Makenna Leik, Northern Blades NSC FSC Open Pre-Juvenile Girls Group A 7th - Mattie McGill, Lake Minnetonka FSC th th th 10 - Sophia Rothenberger, Starlight IDC 6 - Rachel Ann Cramer, Burnsville MN Valley FSC 9 - Noelle Sjoquist, Burnsville MN Valley FSC Pre-Juvenile Girls Group B 7th - April Bockin, Prairie FSC Open Juvenile Girls Group B 6th – Kelly Jiang, Starlight IDC Open Pre-Juvenile Girls Group B 12th - Karina Johnson, Rochester FSC 18th - Eve Thompson, St. Paul FSC 1st – Cassidy Murray, FSC of Bloomington Open Juvenile Girls Group C Pre-Juvenile Girls Group C 3rd - Linnea Peterson, Burnsville MN Valley FSC 1st – Hailey Walker, Braemar City of Lakes 2nd – Emma Enebak, FSC of Bloomington 5th - Annelise Kruse, Elk River FSC FSC 17th - Molly Burmeister, Burnsville MN Valley FSC 6th - Rebecca Sultany, Elk River FSC 4th - Kacy Ineson, St Paul FSC Pre-Juvenile Girls Group D 11th - Allison McLain, Elk River FSC 12th - Alicen Whiting, Elk River FSC 1st – Kirsten Horsemann, FSC of Bloomington Open Pre-Juvenile Girls Group C 15th - Kira Leadholm, Lake Minnetonka FSC 2nd - Linnea Seline, FSC of Bloomington 3rd - Taylor Harris, Northern Blades NSC FSC 17th - Alissa Dahle-Koch, Lake Minnetonka FSC 10th - Jessica Heazlett, FSC of Bloomington Test Track Free Skate Test Track Free Skate Pre-Juvenile Girls Group E th Juvenile Girls Group A Novice Ladies 13 - Lauren Suszko, St Paul FSC th Stephanie Harris, Northern Blades NSC FSC - 3 Ruhan Yang, St Paul FSC - 4 16 - McKenna Wenzel, St Paul FSC. Juvenile Girls Group B Hannah Larson, Elk River FSC - 6

Emily Adrian, St Paul FSC - 7

November 9-13, 2010 Results

Senior Ladies Junior Men Novice Men Advancing to US National Championships Samiera AbouNasr, Juran Yang, January 22-30, 2011 St. Paul FSC St. Paul FSC Cale Ambroz, Junior Men (9,10,10) (1,4,2) FSC of Juran Yang, St. Paul FSC Maria Sperduto, Garrett Kling, Bloomington Novice Men St. Paul FSC Chaska FSC (6,6,4) Cale Ambroz, FSC of Bloomington (6,14,13) (5,5,5)

Advancing to Junior Nationals Results from US Collegiate Championships August 12-14, 2010 ~ East Lansing MI December 14 - 18, 2010 Senior Intermediate Men Christina-Maria Sperduto, (3,6,4) Dartmouth College - St. Paul FSC Coltan Johnson, FSC of Bloomiington Onia Gelecinskyj, (19,28,24) University of Minnesota - FSC of Bloomington Daniel Kulenkamp, St. Paul FSC Junior Caitlin Wolters, (11,12,12) University of Minnesota - St. Paul FSC International Results

JGP ~ JGP Czech Rep ~ Ostrava Coupe de Nice ~ France Karuizawa Oct 13-17, 2010 Oct 13-17, 2010 September 23-26, 2010 Kiri Baga, (3,5) (5) Maria Sperduto,(18,16) Kiri Baga, (2,2) (2) FSC of Bloomington (17) FSC of Bloomington St. Paul FSC

GOOD LUCK TO KIRI IN BEIJING!

Kiri Baga finished in fifth place and earned a berth to her second consecutive JGP Final -- she was seventh a year ago -- after also placing second her first assignment in Japan. She will join fellow Americans , Kristiene Gong and Yasmin Siraj in Beijing. "It is such an honor to make the Final for a second time," Baga said. "I feel so much better prepared this year and am excited for my first trip to ."

Carole and David Shulman inducted into World Figure Skating Coaches Hall of Fame The Post-Bulletin, Rochester MNBy Mary Kenkel David and Carole Shulman have dedicated their lives to figure skating. Carole started skating when she was 2 years old, and David started when he was 12. They both skated in college; David played hockey and figure skated throughout his years at Michigan State. Carole was the Executive Director of the U.S. Figure Skating Association for more than 25 years. Carole and David met while figure skating. All four of their children learned how to skate; their nine grandkids can hold their own on the ice, as well. "They learn how to stand up in skates and that's good," Carole said. The couple have racked up more than 90 years of coaching between the two of them. They coached hockey players who went on to the NHL and Olympics, including Shjon Podein and Eric Strobel. And now, the couple have something else to add to their long list of figure skating accomplishments. David and Carole were inducted into the World Figure Skating Coaches Hall of Fame in May. "Being with the coaches who have been named over the years is beyond belief to me, because I grew up with some of these world-class coaches," said David, who works as an attorney with at the Public Defenders Office. "It was kind of a weepy time, but that's OK. It was very, very powerful." Carole said the induction was "unimaginable," especially because her long-time coach, Dean McMinn is a coach in the Hall of Fame. McMinn was killed in the 1961 plane crash with the entire U.S. Figure Skating Team. "That was my coach and all my skaters and friends," said Carole, who trained at the Olympic training center in Colorado Springs with McMinn. "He is just on a pedestal way up here. To think that I'd be inducted into the Hall of Fame with him, it's just incredible." After that plane crash, Carole took a break from figure skating for a few years. When she decided to get back into the rink, her new coach was, coincidentally, David. "She got on the ice and clearly was an outstanding skater," he said. "Very frankly, I found her a very attractive-looking lady. It's not bad to have to coach someone who isn't bad to look at." And after a while, David said he knew he couldn't coach her anymore."I couldn't teach her anymore because I was in love with her," he said. "I had to make a choice, and that's the choice I made." A year later, they were married. 2011 Harris Collins Awards Applications ~ Supporting Minnesota Skaters since 1991 The purpose of the Harris Collins Awards is to help Minnesota skaters who are motivated, show promise and love skating but need some financial support in order to continue in the sport. Skaters who fit these guidelines are encouraged to apply for Awards. The Awards are intended for the reimbursement of direct expenses incurred for education and development of figure skating skills. Awards are based on financial need, skating potential, sound character, and demonstrated motivation. Accurate and complete data in support of financial need must be shown in the application. Race, color, creed, sex, religion, and ethnic background are not considered in the selection of recipients. The selection of recipients is made by the Minnesota Skating Scholarship Board of Directors and the program is administered through the Minnesota Skating Scholarship Office. Qualification requirements are: Applicant must be a U.S. citizen, be eligible in skating as defined by the U.S. Figure Skating, be recommended by an official from his or her Minnesota Home Club, have trained in Minnesota for at least nine months, have passed at least the U.S. Figure Skating Intermediate Free, Bronze Dance or Intermediate Pair Test, and have competed in one of the following US Figure Skating qualifying competitions: Upper Great Lakes, Midwesterns, Junior Nationals or Nationals. The application for the 2011 Harris Collins Award is posted on the TCFSA website - http://www.tcfsa.org/ Since 1991, Minnesota Skating Scholarship has distributed $195,000 to deserving Minnesota skaters in need of financial assistance. We are most grateful to all who have supported our efforts as are the skaters who received assistance. "Thank you so much for the scholarship. It has not only helped to support my skating, but it has given me a boost in my confidence as well. It is always good to believe in yourself, but it can never hurt to know that there are others who are behind you as well." In these stressful economic times, the Minnesota Skating Scholarship needs your tax-deductible support. Any donation will be greatly appreciated but perhaps you would like to honor someone by making a contribution in his or her name to celebrate a special event such as a birthday, holiday gift or a personal accomplishment. You and your honoree will receive a personal note from us and will be acknowledged in the Twin City Figure Skating Association newsletter. Minnesota Skating Scholarship gratefully acknowledges Donations from: Jacquie Cassity ~ Richard & Jan Anderson TCFSA Jacquie Cassity ~ Art & Shirley Hage Donations in Honor of: Jacquie Cassity ~ Jane Lincoln David & Carole Shulman ~ Norm & Janet Carpenter Jacquie Cassity ~ Dean & Nancy Johnson Donations in Memory of: Jacquie Cassity ~ Carolyn Haman Fern Pangalos ~ Carolyn Marker Jacquie Cassity ~ St. Paul FSC Fern Pangalos ~ Lexie Kastner Jacquie Cassity ~ Lexie Kastner Fern Pangalos ~ St. Paul FSC Jacquie Cassity ~ Paul & Julie Ostrow Jacquie Cassity ~ Charrie Cheshire Jacquie Cassity ~ Bud & Janet Mattson Jacquie Cassity ~ Martin & Gretchen Wilson Jacquie Cassity ~ Norm & Janet Carpenter Your gifts make a very big difference to our youth!

To make a tax-deductible donation to Minnesota Skating Scholarship, contact Herb Morgenthaler at 612-926-9560 or [email protected] or mail to MSS %Herb Morgenthaler, 3851 Beard Ave S, Minneapolis MN 55410

GOLDIST Kelly McInnis ~ Starlight Ice Dance Club

Kelly McInnis, a graduate of Wayzata High School, passed her US Figure Skating Gold Freestyle Test on April 21. Kelly began skating at the age of 6, and quickly fell in love with the beauty and excitement of the sport, and with the sense of freedom and joy she felt when on the ice. Kelly has skated with the Plymouth Pandas FSC, and later the SQSA Parade Figure Skating. She has had the honor of working with many fantastic coaches such as Lenora Haag, Sarah France, Jenny Urick, Karen Heng-Olson, Rohene Ward, Viktors Bariss, Amber Van Wyk, and Page Lipe. She is very grateful for all they have taught her about skating, and about life. Kelly would also like thank the entire Parade skating community and above all her parents, without whose constant support and encouragement, she would not be where she is today. This fall, Kelly will be skating professionally in the ice show aboard the Royal Caribbean cruise ship, Voyager of the Seas. She is very excited for this opportunity to perform, see the world, and continue to grow in her skating. The following year Kelly will be attending the University of Minnesota in the honors program. She hopes to pursue a Political Science major, while continuing to skate and coach.

GOLDIST Elise Keller ~ Braemar City of Lakes FSC

Elise Keller, a Senior at Andover Senior High School, recently passed the USFS Gold Freeskating Test. She started skating at age 3. Her mom used to skate, so she coached her until she felt Elise should get a “real” coach. Elise started out in ISI at The National Sports Center in Blaine and continued in the ISI program at the New Hope Ice Arena for a few years until switching over to USFSA. She has trained for the past 8 years at Braemar City of Lakes FSC with her coach Kathleen Gazich. Having passed both the Senior Free Skate and Senior Moves in the Field, Elise's love for kids and figure skating has her thinking coaching may be the next step for her. She also loves the idea of judging so plans to find a way to get started in both of those fields. Right now she is in the post secondary enrollment option at Anoka-Ramsey Community College in addition to her high school classes so that she can complete as many college courses as possible before she graduates in June 2011. She plans to attend the University of Minnesota-Mankato and to major in Exercise Science and minor in Sports Medicine. Elise loves to work with people and feels that having experienced some injuries herself will help make her a good Physical Therapist. Through her skating experiences, Elise has learned what it really means to be dedicated and to persevere through difficult times. She has gone through some major injuries, one of which she will live with for the rest of her life. She has taught herself to keep going and feels that the obstacles in her life were put there for a reason. Keeping God the center of her life has made all the difference and Elise believes she couldn't have accomplished what she has without her Faith....“with God all things are possible!” Tau Beta Pi announces 2010 Laureates Stephanie Zastrow was honored at the 105th annual Tau Beta Pi Convention in King of Prussia PA as one of five Laureates named in 2010 and presented with a $2,500 cash award and a commemorative plaque. Stephanie, a rising senior at the University of Minnesota, received the award for her achievements in athletics. Stephanie is an accomplished figure skater, has competed for 14 years at levels ranging from regional to nationals, and has over 100 medals. She is a five time Minnesota state champion, two time alternate to nationals, and an international medalist. Stephanie also spends many hours volunteering at local skating rinks, coaching younger skaters, and passing on her figure skating skills. She volunteers at skating events as well as tutoring younger skaters in English and calculus, mentoring them and being a role model. Stephanie is a member of the US Figure skating collegiate committee. She is part of the institute of technology honors program and student ambassador team, Her research has included developing a computer program to create a virtual reality simulator for human dentistry. Stephanie has been her Tau Beta Pi chapter's Project Coordinator, as well as being active in Pi Tau Sigma and the Society of Women Engineers. As Project Coordinator, she planned Kits 4 Kids, an annual fund raiser to buy engineering related toys for donation to Toys 4 Tots during the holiday season. She also worked on the Pi Mile Run and will serve as the President of Minnesota Alpha during 2010-2011

Twin City Figure Skating Sunday, February 13, 2011 ~ 2:00 pm featuring Association Minnesota State Champions presents Sectional, National Celebration & International Competitors Tickets available at the door of Bloomington Ice Garden 3600 West 98th Street, Bloomington MN Champions Sponsored by TCFSA Sanctioned by US Figure Skating

COMING TO A MOVIE THEATER NEAR YOU! SAVE THE DATE ~ FEBRUARY 17, 2011  Live from the red carpet in , the U.S. Figure Skating event you’ve been waiting for is coming to nearly 500 movie theatres nationwide!  RISE ~ A One Night Only Event on February 17, 2011, hosted by Matt Lauer from The Today Show! A celebration of American figure skating featuring figure skating legends , , Scott Hamilton, Brian Boitano, and 2010 Olympic Gold Medalist among others.  An unprecedented gathering of figure skating icons. Never seen before skating performances, the world premiere of RISE, and more….  Limited seats available for this one night event. Go to http://www.rise1961.com/ to order tickets online. Local Theaters: Eagan 16 2055 Cliff Rd Eagan MN 55122  Eden Prairie 18 with IMAX 8251 Flying Cloud Dr Eden Prairie MN 55344  Movies 8 1850 Adams St Ste 15 Mankato MN 56001  Block E 15 600 Hennepin Ave Minneapolis MN 55403  Brooklyn Center 20 6420 Camden Ave N Minneapolis MN 55430  Showplace ICON at The West End 1625 West End Blvd Saint Louis Park MN 55416  Rosedale 14 with IMAX 850 Rosedale Center Saint Paul MN 55113

Commissioned by U.S. Figure Skating, the film RISE celebrates American figure skating while commemorating the 50th anniversary of the 1961 U.S. World Figure Skating Team that perished in a plane crash on its way to the World Championships in . Produced and directed by 16-time Emmy Award winners Lookalike Productions, RISE will document the sports’ growth in popularity over the years and feature various luminaries of American figure skating. Proceeds from RISE will be used to further the mission of U.S. Figure Skating’s Memorial Fund, which was established on Feb. 23, 1961, as a living legacy of those who lost their lives. The film is premiering on February 17, 2011 to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the tragedy.

MINNESOTA CONNECTIONS ~ from bios written by Patricia Shelley Bushman, author of the soon to be published: Indelible Tracings. Owen 1961 U.S. World Team Professional Maribel Vinson Owen, 49, was perhaps the most influential figure in the history of U.S. figure skating until her passing. Exhibiting a strong personality and a fearless nature, she was one of the most decorated U.S. female skaters in the 20th century and was one of its most successful coaches. Born in Winchester, Mass., she was the only child of Thomas and Gertrude Vinson, who were both skaters themselves. Taught by Willie Frick at the Skating Club of , she won several U.S. ice dancing championships; the U.S. pairs championship six times, with partners Thornton Coolidge and George E. B. Hill; and the U.S. ladies championship nine times—a record that was equaled 68 years later by Michelle Kwan. She retired from competition in 1937 with one World bronze medal, one World silver medal and one Olympic bronze medal. After she married Canadian champion Guy Owen, they performed in ice shows together and taught in St. Paul, Minnesota, Berkeley, Calif., and Boston. Maribel’s students included six-time U.S. champion , 1956 Olympic champion and 1960 Olympic pairs bronze medalists Ron and Nancy Ludington. She also taught her two daughters, 20-year-old Maribel Owen Jr., the 1961 U.S. pairs champion with ; and 16- year-old , the 1961 U.S. and North American champion. A Radcliffe graduate, Maribel was the author of three books on figure skating, the first female sports writer for The New York Times and an AP correspondent. By 1961, she had taught more than 4,000 students Bradley Lord 1961 U.S. Men’s Champion Bradley Richard Lord, 21, formed two ambitions early in life: to make the Olympic Team and to star in the touring professional show Ice Follies.. In the summers, he trained with his coach Bud Wilson in St. Paul, Minnesota and at Michigan State University in East Lansing. Celebrating 75 Years! and looking for former members to come and reune with old friends! St. Paul Pops ~ One More Time! ~ Saturday April 9, 2011 ~ 7:00 pm accompanied by the Minnesota Youth Symphony! Richfield Ice Arena, 636 East 66th St, Richfield, MN 55423

Appetizers, Libations and Memories! ~ Sunday April 10, 2011 ~ 2:00 pm Pleasant Arena, Home of the St. Paul FSC 848 Pleasant Ave, St Paul MN 55102 - at 35 E & St Clair Ave

Gala Dinner Celebration! ~ Sunday April 10, 2011 ~ 4:00 pm Roy Wilkins Auditorium, 175 West Kellogg Blvd, Suite 501, Saint Paul, MN 55102 Where the St. Paul FSC began 75 years ago! Click here to order St Paul FSC 75th Anniversary Show & Dinner tickets, Merchandise, Commemorative Tiles,and Program Ads!

CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS DECEMBER APRIL 2 FSC of Bloomington Testing 21 St. Paul FSC Testing 4 Three Rivers FSC Testing 21 Lake Minnetonka FSC Testing 7 Eden Prairie FSC Testing MAY 8 Roseville FSC Testing 5 Burnsville MN Valley FSC Testing 9 St. Paul FSC Testing 19 St. Paul FSC Testing 9 Lake Minnetonka FSC Testing 20-22 Roseville Open, Roseville FSC 14 Rochester FSC Testing JUNE 15 FSC of Minneapolis Testing 5 June Bug Competition, St. Paul FSC, Pleasant Arena 18-19 Synchro Classic - Maplewood 10 Burnsville MN Valley FSC Testing JANUARY 16 St. Paul FSC Testing 7 Mankato FSC Testing 24 -25 McCandless Competition, Braemar FSC 8 Bend of the River Competition Mankato FSC JULY 17 Eagan Ice Crystals Testing 14 St. Paul FSC Testing 17 Burnsville MN Valley FSC Testing 15-17 Skate St Paul, Richfield Arena 20 St. Paul FSC Testing 19-22 Rising Stars Basic Skills Camp, Pleasant Arena, St Paul FSC 22-30 US Figure Skating Championships, Greensboro, NC 23-25 Spectacular Adult Camp, Pleasant Arena, St Paul FSC 27 Lake Minnetonka FSC Testing 28 FSC of Minneapolis Testing FEBRUARY 29-31 Robin Lee Competition FSC of Minneapolis 3-5 Midwest & Pacific Coast Synchronized Sectional AUGUST Championships Rochester, MN 18 St. Paul FSC Testing 13 Celebration of Champions Bloomington Ice Garden 19-21 Minnesota State Championships, Eagan Ice Crystals 18-20 Hiawathaland Land Competition, Rochester FSC SEPTEMBER 16 Maplewood FSC Testing 15 St. Paul FSC Testing 24 St. Paul FSC Testing 15 Maplewood FSC Testing 26 Skate in the Park, Competition, Three Rivers FSC 16-18 Maplewood Fall Classic MARCH OCTOBER 13 The Sunflower Classic Lake Minnetonka FSC 14-18 2012 Upper Great Lakes Regional Championships & 17 Lake Minnetonka FSC Testing Upper Great Lakes Non Qualifying Competition, 24 St. Paul FSC Testing Richfield Arena, St Paul FSC 26 Mankato FSC Testing

TCFSA is going green and will no longer be printing and mailing the Rink Link. A full color copy will be posted on the Twin City Figure Skating Association website in November, March and June each year for reading, printing and sharing with friends and relatives!

http://www.tcfsa.org/

Please submit information/articles by the end of October, February and May for inclusion in the next issue of the Rink Link. Send by email to : mailto:[email protected] or by mail to: TCFSA Rink Link %Lexie Kastner P O Box 296 Deerwood MN 56444.

"Grieve not, nor speak of me with tears but laugh and talk of me as if I

were beside you.' Twas heaven to be here with you, I love you so." ~ Isla Pascal Richardson Jacquie Cassity passed away on Sunday July 11, at peace and surrounded by her loving family. Jacquie’s lifelong passion was in the world of figure skating. She was a judge from 1956 until her passing. She was an ISU international judge for Canada, and also judged for the Canadian Figure Skating Association, the Figure Skating Association and the St. Paul . She received her 25 year judging pin from the Canadian Vancouver 2010 Olympics

Figure Skating Association and recently received her 25 year pin from the United States Figure Skating Association. For the past ten years, Jacquie had been planning to attend the winter Olympics in her hometown of Vancouver, B.C. After her September 2009 diagnoses of stage IV lung cancer, she was determined to get to Vancouver to realize her dream of being there for the Olympics. She made it to the Olympics and had the time of her life thanks to many friends who made her dream a reality.

Jacquie always lit up the room with her laughter and smile. She was an outstanding judge--always prepared and very conscientious. She always had an ample supply of pencils! Jacquie's grandson, Brandon, and our grandson, Gunnar, were friends at Hillcrest Lutheran Academy in Fergus Falls. Her daughter worked at our favorite restaurant in Fergus. I am very grateful that Jacquie was a part of our lives! Shirley Hage

I loved coming back to judge in Minnesota and talking with Jacquie. She was always genuinely interested to hear how my life was going in NYC. I loved listening to her stories about her work, her travels and her family. She will be missed! Sara Kastner

When I think of Jacquie, I see her big bright smile and hear her laugh. She was very generous in helping new judges, like myself. Jacquie filled the officials room with laughter as we all enjoyed her stories and jokes. We will miss her very much. Julie Mattson Ostrow

My favorite memories of Jacquie are: She would bring her camera to all the competitions and take pictures of all her judging friends. She had wonderful stories of her skating/judging years, especially in Canada, and she told them all with such a sense of humor. She was very interested in supporting new judges as they moved up the ranks. I've missed her and will continue to do so. Lynne Maker Kuechle

Jacquie was fair, insightful and was one of the best judges I have known. She worked hard, never complained and never flaunted her status. She was a wonderful addition to any judging room – her sense of humor, her smile and warmth will be missed. Skate St Paul will be the poorer without her. We were lucky to share her with Canada and now both countries have suffered a major loss. Nancy Bizzano

29 years ago, Jacquie, Rich and I were taking tennis lessons together. One Saturday they did not appear....they had gone off to be married! I did not even know they were dating!! I first met Jacquie when we did an international competition and she was an international judge for Canada. That has to be about 34 years ago! Janet Carpenter

Jacquie was spectacular. Brilliant mind, sharp wit, used detailed short hand, carried a camera and took pictures of her fellow judges at all of the competitions, didn't mince words and was a fireball! We all loved her. Jacquie was dependable and will be missed. I thought of her as a friend. She was from Canada and so is my mother. She worked for the BN Railroad and so did my father. We had delightful conversations at competitions about her family and her days judging in Canada. I personally am overwhelmed by a great sadness and will miss her very much. Anne Murphy